Power of Our Words – October 15 Devotions

Happy mid-October! Can you believe we’re in the last quarter of 2015 already? It doesn’t seem possible, yet here we are. And for those like me who usually make gifts for Christmas…mid-October also means only about 10 weeks left to make those gifts! Time to get crafting…

Onto today’s devotional thought…

“According to the Bible, the power of life and death

is in the tongue,

and we often have to eat our words.

I wonder how many times in our lives we say,

‘I’m afraid…’

‘I’m afraid I’ll get the flu that ‘s going around.’

‘With the way the prices are going up,

I’m afraid I won’t have enough money.’

‘I’m afraid if I don’t go the party,

people will think badly of me.’

If we heard a recording of every time in our lives

we have said, ‘I’m afraid,’

we would probably be amazed that our lives are going

as well as they are.

If we really understood the power of words,

I think we would change the way we talk.

Our talk should be confident and bold, not fearful.

Fearful talk not only affects us in adverse ways,

but it affects those around us.

Don’t underestimate the power of words.

Pray: Lord, show me the ways I need to change

the way I talk.

Help me to break the bad habits I’ve adopted

and the negative words I repeat over and over.

Amen.”

–Joyce Meyer in “The Confident Woman Devotional”

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My reflections:

I’ve never believed the old adage that says, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” It has been my unfortunate experience that hurtful words spoken many years ago still affect me today on occasion, when something happens to trigger memories involving those hurtful words.

I also have my regrets about words I’ve spoken in haste many years ago, without contemplating their impact, that hurt other people and have lingering effects in relationships even now.

Words are indeed powerful and we can choose to speak words that are harmful and hurtful, that tear others down, or choose words that are helpful and uplifting, that build others up. It’s a matter of thinking before we speak, and choosing our words carefully.

~~*~~

So what are YOUR thoughts?

Can you relate to the quotes and the devotional for today? Can you clearly remember words said to you – or that you said to others – that were hurtful and had a detrimental effect on you or others?

K-Lee, I’m totally with you on this. Words have energy, and energy has power. Joyce Meyer is one of my favorite teachers–I volunteer for her every year when she is in Phoenix. Truly, the power of life and death is in the tongue. So we need to enLIVEn ourselves by choosing our words carefully. Btw, I’m greatly enjoying the pillow you sent. Blessings! –Kebba

Hi Karen, many people fail to realise the power that their words can have on others either in a positve or negative way. A few positive words at the right time can lift someone in the same way that a few negative words at the wrong time can destroy someoneMike Gardner recently posted..8 Simple Tips to Supercharge Your Productivity

Yes, I can relate. Words are very powerful. When you want to hurt someone, you speak words that can slice through one’s heart. When you want to encourage someone, you speak uplifting words to help him give his best. Sometimes, I am guilty of not thinking before saying the words, but I am also trying my best to avoid doing so. I try to choose the words before opening my mouth.

Oh, boy, do I know the power of words to hurt! And I’m afraid I’ve uttered more than my share of them. May God forgive me, and help me to put a brake on my tongue!Anne Louise Bannon recently posted..From the Dark Side of the Fridge: Salad Basics II

Ah, words!!! How we talk to our selves is a huge part of this. They say if you eat alone a lot to still practice good manners….Same goes for how we speak to ourselves….That is what I am clued into big time here. Thank you, Karen Lee Banks!

You are right. Words are powerful things. They can lift you up or tear you down. And the can never be taken back so we need to be wise with what we allow to leave our mouths.Julia recently posted..Confessions of a Bookaholic

This is great! The tongue really is one of the hardest things to control. I think it’s in James, but that word fragrance. Are my words a fragrance or a poison to people? I try to visualize it before they come out if I’m being intentional enough.Angie Scheie recently posted..The One Personality Trait I Can’t Live Without (#52WeeksA4A)